China’s ecological footprint increasing

The 2012 China Ecological Footprint Report, released in December, shows increased consumption, reinforced by higher incomes and rapid urbanisation, is increasing pressure on the country’s natural environment. Produced by WWF in partnership with Chinese and overseas Institutes, this third edition of the report shows carbon emissions represent the largest component of China’s ecological footprint. The report notes a sustainable development path is essential to China’s ecological security and its peoples’ wellbeing, and can greatly influence global sustainable development. WWF priority species such as Amur tiger and giant panda show slow recovery.

A man using his mobile phone standing in the crowd on Nanjing Road, Shanghai, China.